SACKED
Amby was at work the following Monday, trying to keep her focus despite the lingering thoughts of Gabe and his infuriating interruption in her life. She had bigger things to worry about—like the logo project she had worked tirelessly on, only for Ethan to dismiss it as subpar.
She had eventually submitted the two designs to the clients, giving her a choice, which she appreciated. The client had immediately chosen the specially designed one, ignoring the standard logo that Ethan had later approved. Amby felt like gloating about it, but remembering Sara’s warning and the fact that she had not decided to work with Gabe yet, she kept her cool.
She had not expected much from Ethan, but when the client who commissioned the work arrived at their office, Amby was caught off guard. The woman beamed as she approached Amby’s desk. "I just want to personally thank you for the logo. It’s perfect! It represents my brand exactly how I envisioned it."
Amby blinked. "Really?"
She cast a glance toward Ethan’s office, knowing full well he had scoffed at the design.
"I am glad you like it! May I ask what specifically made it stand out for you?"
The client smiled. "It is bold, yet elegant. The intricate details reflect my company’s mission perfectly. I could not have asked for anything better."
Before Amby could respond, Ethan appeared at the doorway, an artificial smile plastered on his face.
"Ah, Miss Wright! So pleased to hear your satisfaction. We take pride in our designs."
Amby’s stomach turned as Ethan extended his hand, taking credit for the work she had poured her heart into. The client shook his hand, oblivious to Amby’s growing frustration.
"Your designer here did a fantastic job."
Ethan chuckled, shifting his weight slightly. "Yes, well, I do ensure that all creative processes go through my expert review. Quality control, you know."
Amby clenched her fists under her desk. He was stealing credit for her work. Again.
As soon as the client left, Ethan turned to Amby with a smug expression. "You have got potential, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Since you are feeling so creative, I have another project for you." He dropped a thick file onto her desk.
"Finish this by the end of the day. No excuses."
Amby gritted her teeth. "You are giving me an entire campaign to complete within a few hours?"
Ethan smirked. "You should be grateful for the opportunity."
Amby wanted to argue, but she knew it was pointless. She spent the next hours before break grinding through the work, her frustration fueling her determination. By lunchtime, exhaustion had set in. Lucy was out to deliver a work to one of their clients and from there she would pick up some items for the office. Amby really felt her absence.
As she walked toward the break room, a hushed murmur spread across the office. She followed the gazes of her colleagues to the notice board, where a new list had been pinned up.
‘Terminated Employees’
Her heart pounded as she scanned the names. She knew Ethan had been tightening the department’s budget, but she had not expected this. As her eyes reached the bottom of the list, a chill ran down her spine.
Her name was there.
Everything blurred. Heat crawled up her skin as she turned on her heels and stormed toward Ethan’s office. She flung the door open without knocking. "What the hell is this?"
Ethan didn’t even look up from his computer. "Ah, Amby. I see you have seen the list."
"You are firing me?! After everything I have done?"
Ethan sighed dramatically. "It is not personal. Budget cuts. You should understand."
Amby’s hands balled into fists. "You stole credit for my work, overworked me, and now you are throwing me out like trash?"
Ethan leaned back in his chair, exhaling lazily. "Amby, you are talented, but business is business. You will find another job."
She wanted to scream. Instead, she picked up the file he had thrown on her desk earlier and hurled it onto his. Papers scattered. "You don’t get to decide my worth."
“Ethan, you already put my name on that list, yet you gave me a week’s worth of work to finish within hours? You are a terrible person. Are you not afraid of Karma?” Amby threw all caution to the winds and screamed at Ethan.
Before Ethan could respond, her phone buzzed. It was Caleb.
She hesitated for only a second before answering. "Amby, we need to meet."
Caleb’s calm voice came through the line.
She let out a slow breath. "Fine," she said into the phone. "Tell me where and when."
She closed her eyes, inhaling sharply. Everything was falling apart. But maybe, just maybe, this was the push she needed.
She turned back to Ethan, narrowing her eyes. "Enjoy your little kingdom while it lasts." She stormed out of his office making sure to leave the door open. Let Ethan see how she gloriously leaves the mediocre job behind her without any regrets.
Though she acted strong, Amby’s hands trembled as she packed the last of her things into a box. The rush of emotions—anger, relief, and uncertainty—swirled within her like an unrelenting storm. She had spent months pouring her heart into this job, only to be discarded like she was nothing. Ethan had taken everything from her—her work, her confidence, and now, her stability. But he had not taken her resilience. She will not allow him.
She took one last glance at the office that had once been her second home. Her coworkers avoided eye contact, their pity evident in their silence. Ethan, of course, had not bothered to acknowledge her departure. That was fine. She had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of seeing her break. With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and walked toward the elevator, her box clutched tightly in her arms.
As she stepped outside, the cool air hit her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt something she had not expected—freedom.
But as she walked toward the street, doubts began creeping in. What if she was making a mistake? What if Gabe’s offer was not the solution she imagined?
But staying in her present job was no longer an option. It was now forward ever and backward never.
Just then, Amby's phone buzzed again. It was a text from Caleb – "Meet me at the coffee shop on 5th street at 3 pm. Come alone."
Amby's heart skipped a beat. What did Caleb want? And what did Gabe's offer really entail? She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.